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The man stepped closer "Jay?" He finally lowered his weapon

"It’s good to see you, Charlie"

"Boy, what are you doin’ here? Why didn’t ya tell ?"

He pointed to the shotgun It looked as old as Charlie He was a crusty old man, easily in his early seventies now, but sharp as a tack And clearly still looking out for Jay and his property

"Nut’n wrong with un, Charlie pulled hi

"So what are ya doin’ here?" He rinned appreciatively

Jay looked over his shoulder at Tara, not knowing how to answer the question Was Tara his girlfriend now? It was in her hands

Tara took a step forward, reaching her hand out to Charlie "I’m Tara Nice to aze drifted back to Jay

"Charlie owned the dry dock I told you about," Jay explained

"Owned? Oh, so you’re retired now?" Tara asked politely

"Retired?" Charlie laughed and jerked his thu with mischief "I would be if it wasn’t for this fella here"

Knowing exactly what Charlie was alluding to, Jay decided to intervene Tara had heard enough of his past, and there was no need to go into anyit briefly

"How’s Mabel doing?" he asked instead

"She’s a pain in the butt as always" He glanced at Tara and added, "My wife" Then he turned back to Jay "She woulda baked ya a pecan pie if you’d only told us ya was comin’"

"It was all last onna stop by, was ya?"

Jay sighed No, he hadn’t planned onanybody from his past It still conjured up too many painful memories